Dispensing device with ratchet advancement

ABSTRACT

Embodiments generally relate to a pill box adapted for dispensing medication. In one embodiment, the pill box includes a base member, a carousel coupled to the base member and configured to rotate about the base member, one or more compartments, each compartment formed within the carousel and configured to store a single dose of medication with a lid configured to enclose the base and the carousel. The pill box ratchet advancement mechanism includes a resilient member and a stop member configured to facilitate motion of the carousel in a first direction and to restrict motion in a second direction, and a locking component configured to permit a pre-determined displacement of the carousel in the first direction and to limit further displacement in the first direction by locking the carousel.

The present application claims priority to Patent Cooperation Treatyapplication No. PCT/US2013/025450, filed on 8 Feb. 2013, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/597,440, filed on10 Feb. 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forthin full in the application for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare today is implemented as an open-loop system. Patients arediagnosed by a physician and prescribed treatment. However, there arenot many reliable systems capable of monitoring whether the patient iscomplying with or adhering to the instructions given by the physician.Studies have shown that if patients stop taking their medication forthree days, they are unlikely to resume their regimen.

Patients may access the wrong medications at the wrong times. Patientsmay double-dose on medication if they forgot they have already takentheir prescribed dose. Children, and other unauthorized users, canbreak-in to existing pill-containers and remove pills. Patients canintentionally overdose on medications. There is a large problem ofdiversion with controlled substances such as pain medications oropioid-withdrawal medication, such that patients sometimes illicitlysell or give away these medications in bulk.

One approach to ensure adherence to medical prescriptions is the use ofvarious medicine-dispensing devices for dispensing medicines to users.Such devices typically have multiple compartments for storing medicines.While some of these medical dispensing devices can be programmed todispense medicines at an appropriate medication schedule, a user canaccess multiple compartments of the device at the same time.

Healthcare workers at a medical facility are typically entrusted withthe task of monitoring patients within the facility. Typically,healthcare workers use a time clock to record the time of day on amedication record when interacting with a patient. However, because thisis a manual mechanism, there may be potential for inaccuracies.Moreover, manual mechanisms or systems may not be an efficient way tomonitor a patient's adherence rate.

Additionally, interaction monitoring is important in situations where ahealthcare provider is interacting with patients. A central monitoringsystem can be used to determine whether the healthcare worker isperforming his/her duties. One example includes a nurse or orderly in anursing home environment who must do daily rounds. Another example is ahealthcare worker taking part in a DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment,Short-course) program, such as is used in many tuberculosis treatments.This approach can be applied to any scenario where one person mustinteract with several others and this interaction may need to bemonitored.

Current monitoring systems include computerized attendance systems thatcan read a unique employee number and other data from an identificationbadge when the employee arrives and departs the workplace. The acquiredemployee identification data are transmitted and recorded in a centralmonitoring device along with the current date and time. However, suchsystems may not be capable of recording the state of the patient'sadherence rate unless manually entered by the healthcare worker.

SUMMARY

Embodiments generally relate to a pill box adapted for dispensingmedication. In one embodiment, the pill box includes a base member, acarousel coupled to the base member and configured to rotate about thebase member, one or more compartments, each compartment formed withinthe carousel and configured to store a single dose of medication with alid configured to enclose the base and the carousel. The pill boxratchet advancement mechanism includes a resilient member and a stopmember configured to facilitate motion of the carousel in a firstdirection and to restrict motion in a second direction, and a lockingcomponent configured to permit a pre-determined displacement of thecarousel in the first direction and to limit further displacement in thefirst direction by locking the carousel.

With further regard to the pill box, in one embodiment, the stop memberis formed on a wall of the base member. With further regard to the pillbox, in one embodiment, fins are disposed around the carousel and distalportion of the fin, includes the resilient member. With further regardto the pill box, in one embodiment, includes fins disposed around thecarousel, and distal portion of the fin, includes the resilient member,and the stop member is formed on a wall of the base member. With furtherregard to the pill box, in one embodiment, the stop member is formed onthe lid.

In another embodiment, the dispensing device includes a base member, acarousel coupled to the base member and configured to rotate about thebase member, one or more compartments, each compartment formed withinthe carousel, and an access control mechanism operatively coupled to thecarousel and the base member and configured to regulate a motion of thecarousel and to selectively permit access to the compartments.

With further regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, theaccess control mechanism includes a locking component configured topermit a predetermined displacement of the carousel in a first directionand to limit further displacement in the first direction. In anembodiment, the locking component includes a linear actuator configuredto move linearly and limit rotation of the carousel. In an embodiment,the linear actuator includes a motor, a worm comprising one or moregrooves and mounted axially on the motor, and a rack gear configured tointerface with the worm by means of one or more grooves, and rotation ofthe worm causes a linear movement of the rack gear, to permit apre-determined displacement of the carousel in a first direction and tolimit further displacement in the first direction. With further regardto the dispensing device, in one embodiment, the access controlmechanism includes electronic circuitry configured to limit and recordrotation of the carousel. With further regard to the dispensing device,in one embodiment, the access control mechanism comprises a lockingcomponent configured to permit a predetermined displacement of thecarousel, and the locking component includes a linear actuatorconfigured to move linearly and limit rotation of the carousel, when thelinear actuator includes a motor, a worm including grooves and mountedaxially on the motor. The dispensing device includes a rack gearconfigured to interface with the worm by means of the grooves, when arotation of the worm causes a linear movement of the rack gear, topermit a pre-determined displacement of the carousel in a firstdirection and to limit further displacement in the first direction, andwhen the electronic circuitry includes tracking means coupled to therack gear and configured to track a position of the rack gear. Withfurther regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, the accesscontrol mechanism further includes a ratchet advancement mechanismformed by a resilient member and a stop member, and the ratchetadvancement mechanism is configured to facilitate motion of the carouselin a first direction and to restrict motion in a second direction.

In an embodiment, a dispensing device adapted for storing and dispensingarticles, the device includes a base member, a carousel coupled to thebase member and configured to rotate about the base member,compartments, each compartment formed within the carousel, and thecarousel and the base member form a ratchet advancement mechanismconfigured to facilitate motion of the carousel in a first direction andto restrict motion in a second direction.

With further regard to the dispensing device, in another embodiment, alocking component disposed on the base member and configured to permit apre-determined displacement of the carousel in the first direction andto limit further displacement in the first direction. With furtherregard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, the lockingcomponent includes a linear actuator configured to move linearly andcontrol rotation of the carousel, and the linear actuator includes amotor, a worm including one or more grooves and mounted axially on themotor and a rack gear configured to interface with the worm by means ofthe one or more grooves, when a rotation of the worm causes a linearmovement of the rack gear. With further regard to the dispensing device,in an embodiment the carousel further includes a hollow shaft coupled tothe center of the base member and one or more fins coupled to the shaft,when each fin extends outwards from the shaft to form a curved wall.With further regard to the dispensing device, in an embodiment, the basemember comprises an inner wall and, when the inner wall includes one ormore ramps. With further regard to the dispensing device, in anembodiment, the one or more compartments are self-contained. Withfurther regard to the dispensing device, in an embodiment, the carouselfurther includes a hollow shaft coupled to the center of the basemember, and a spindle operatively coupled to the hollow shaft of thecarousel and configured to facilitate rotation of the carousel. Withfurther regard to the dispensing device, in another embodiment, furtherincludes a handle operatively coupled to the carousel and configured toenable a user to rotate the carousel to dispense an article storedinside the compartment, a lid configured to enclose the carousel and awindow disposed on the lid and configured to enable a user to accessarticles stored inside each compartment.

Embodiments generally relate to a dispensing device including a basemember, a carousel coupled to the base member and configured to rotateabout the base member, a cover disposed on a top portion of thecarousel, and a securing mechanism disposed on the dispensing device andconfigured to prevent unauthorized access to contents stored within thedispensing device.

With further regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, thesecuring mechanism includes a tamper detection device operativelycoupled to the cover or the base member and configured to generate analarm signal in response to displacement of the cover. With furtherregard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, the securingmechanism includes a tamper detection device operatively coupled to thecover or the base member and configured to generate an alarm signal inresponse to displacement of the cover and further including a linkingcomponent coupled to the tamper detection device, and the tamperdetection device is configured to generate the alarm signal when thelinking component is decoupled from the tamper detection device. Withfurther regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, the securingmechanism includes a tamper detection device operatively coupled to thecover or the base member and configured to generate an alarm signal inresponse to displacement of the cover and further including a linkingcomponent coupled to the tamper detection device, and the tamperdetection device is configured to generate the alarm signal when thelinking component is decoupled from the tamper detection device and whenthe linking component includes an electronic device or a mechanicalcomponent. With further regard to the dispensing device, in oneembodiment, the securing mechanism includes a tamper detection deviceoperatively coupled to the cover or the base member and configured togenerate an alarm signal in response to displacement of the cover, andincludes a linking component coupled to the tamper detection device andthe tamper detection device is configured to generate the alarm signalwhen the linking component is decoupled from the tamper detectiondevice. In an embodiment the linking component includes a magnet, andupon displacement of the cover, the tamper detection device isconfigured to detect a change in electromagnetic field generated by themagnet. With further regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment,the securing mechanism comprises a tamper detection device operativelycoupled to the cover or the base member and configured to generate analarm signal in response to displacement of the cover further includinga linking component coupled to the tamper detection device. In anembodiment, the tamper detection device is configured to generate thealarm signal when the linking component is decoupled from the tamperdetection device and processing circuitry disposed within the dispensingdevice and configured to record a time at which the linking component isdecoupled from the tamper detection device. With further regard to thedispensing device, in one embodiment, the securing mechanism includes atamper detection device operatively coupled to the cover or the basemember and configured to generate an alarm signal in response todisplacement of the cover, further including a linking component coupledto the tamper detection device and the tamper detection device isconfigured to generate the alarm signal when the linking component isdecoupled from the tamper detection device, and processing circuitrydisposed within the dispensing device and configured to record a time atwhich the linking component is decoupled from the tamper detectiondevice and the processing circuitry is configured to transmit a time logand the time log includes a first time at which the cover was displacedand a second time at which the carousel was rotated. With further regardto the dispensing device, in one embodiment, a lid configured to enclosethe base member and the carousel, when the cover is disposed on the lid.With further regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, thesecuring mechanism includes a security component formed by an inner wallextending upwards from a base plate of the base member, and an outerwall of the lid and the inner wall of the base member and outer wall ofthe lid overlap when enclosing the carousel. With further regard to thedispensing device, in one embodiment, the securing mechanism includes asecurity fastener configured to mechanically fasten the cover to thebase member. With further regard to the dispensing device, in oneembodiment, the securing mechanism includes visual indicators disposedon the dispensing device.

In an embodiment, a dispensing device includes a base member, a carouselcoupled to the base member and configured to rotate about the basemember, a lid configured to enclose the base member and the carousel, acover disposed on the lid, and a tamper detection device including aelectromechanical component disposed within the dispensing device and aelectromechanical sensor corresponding to the electromechanicalcomponent and configured to generate an alarm signal in response todisplacement of the cover.

With further regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, theelectromechanical component is a magnet and electromechanical sensor isa magnetic sensor, and when the magnetic sensor is configured to detecta change in electromagnetic field generated by the magnet in response tothe displacement of the cover. With further regard to the dispensingdevice, in one embodiment, the electromechanical component is an opticalemitter and electromechanical sensor is an optical sensor, when theoptical sensor is configured to detect an optical change in optical pathof the optical emitter in response to the displacement of the cover.With further regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment,processing circuitry is disposed within the dispensing device andconfigured to store a time log, when the time log includes a time atwhich the cover was displaced.

In another embodiment, a method for detecting unauthorized access to apill box, the method includes creating an electromechanical link betweena first component and a second component of the pill box, detecting achange in the electromechanical link, when the change is indicative of adisplacement of the first component with respect to the second componentfrom their respective initial positions and generating an alarm signalin response to the change in the electromechanical link.

With further regard to the method, in an embodiment, creating theelectromechanical link includes creating an electromagnetic field usinga magnet, and detecting the change in the electromechanical linkincluding detecting a change in the electromagnetic field using amagnetic sensor. With further regard to the method, in an embodiment,creating the electromechanical link comprises creating an optical pathusing at least one optical emitter, wherein detecting the change in theelectromechanical link includes detecting an optical change using anoptical sensor. With further regard to the method, in an embodiment, thealarm signal includes an acoustic indicator signal or an opticalindicator signal. With further regard to the method, in an embodiment,the method includes recording a time log corresponding to the change inthe electromechanical link and transferring the time log to a computingdevice.

Embodiments generally relate to a central monitoring system formonitoring one or more dispensing devices. In an embodiment, the centralmonitoring system includes accessing devices configured to provideaccess to dispensing devices. In an embodiment the accessing devicesinclude a transceiver configured to transmit an identity tag to thedispensing devices when disposed adjacent to the dispensing devices,which contain memory circuitry configured to store the identity tag. Inan embodiment the central monitoring system includes computing devicesthat include an analysis module configured to receive identity tags fromthe one or more dispensing devices, and process each identity tag toidentify the one or more dispensing devices accessed by the one or moreaccessing devices.

With further regard to the central monitoring system, in one embodiment,the central monitoring system includes a transceiver configured toreceive device data from the dispensing devices. With further regard tothe central monitoring system, in one embodiment, the central monitoringsystem receives a time stamp providing the time dispensing devices areaccessed by the accessing devices. In an embodiment, each accessingdevice is configured to be mechanically coupled to the dispensingdevices. In another embodiment, each accessing device is configured tobe electronically coupled to the dispensing devices. With further regardto the central monitoring system, in one embodiment, the centralmonitoring system monitors/records device data that includes one or moreof dose dispensation data, doses remaining data, regimen data, ambienttemperature data, battery level data, time of dispensation data, resetdata, and accessory-device access data. In an embodiment, the analysismodule is further configured to analyze device data received from thedispensing devices. In another embodiment, the central monitoring systemis configured to transmit an alert to a secondary central monitoringsystem; the alert is based upon the device data analyzed by the analysismodule and the secondary central monitoring systems are associated withthe dispensing devices. With further regard to the central monitoringsystem, in one embodiment, each accessing device is further configuredto unlock and lock the dispensing devices.

In another embodiment, an accessing device is adapted for use withmedication dispensing devices, the accessing device includes atransceiver configured to transmit an identity tag to the medicationdispensing devices when disposed adjacent to the medication dispensingdevices with memory circuitry configured to store the identity tag, andthe accessing device is adapted to unlock or lock the one or moremedication dispensing devices.

With further regard to the accessing device, in one embodiment, theaccessing device includes a transceiver configured to receive devicedata from the medication dispensing devices. In an embodiment, thetransceiver is configured to transmit data to the one or more medicationdispensing devices. With further regard to the accessing device, in oneembodiment, the accessing device includes indicators configured to beenabled when the identity tag is matched with a reference tag stored inthe medication dispensing devices. With further regard to the accessingdevice, in one embodiment, the accessing device includes a communicationportal configured to transmit device data to the central monitoringsystems.

In an embodiment, a method for monitoring dispensing devices in ahealthcare network includes accessing dispensing devices using anaccessing device, transmitting an identity tag to each dispensingdevice, and storing the identity tag in memory circuitry disposed withineach dispensing device. In an embodiment the method includestransferring the identity tag to the computing devices, processing theidentity tag to determine device interaction status of each dispensingdevice, and reporting the device state of each dispensing devicedistributed in the healthcare network.

With further regard to the method, in one embodiment, the methodincludes receiving device data from the dispensing devices using theaccessing device and reporting the device data of the dispensingdevices. With further regard to the method, in one embodiment, themethod includes transmitting alerts based upon the device data tosecondary central monitoring systems, and the secondary centralmonitoring systems are associated with the dispensing devices. In anembodiment, the method includes analyzing device data received from thedispensing devices to determine an adherence rate of the one or moredispensing devices. In another embodiment, the method includes analyzingthe device state of the dispensing devices to determine an operationalcondition of the dispensing devices. In another embodiment, the methodincludes analyzing the device data to determine prescription data forthe dispensing devices.

Embodiments generally relate to a dispensing device adapted for storingand dispensing articles. In one embodiment, the dispensing deviceincludes a base member, a carousel coupled to the base member andconfigured to rotate about the base member, a plurality of compartments,each compartment formed within the carousel and configured to store aplurality of articles. The dispensing device may also include adispensation detection system including sensors disposed within thedispensing device and configured to generate a signal corresponding to adisplacement of the carousel with respect to the base member, andprocessing circuitry coupled to the dispensation detection system andconfigured to receive the signal generated by the dispensation detectionsystem and record a time at which the signal was received.

With further regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, thesensors include an electromechanical device coupled to the base memberand configured to detect a displacement of the carousel. With furtherregard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, the sensors includeat least one infrared detector coupled to the base member and configuredto detect a displacement of the carousel. With further regard to thedispensing device, in one embodiment, the sensors include at least onemechanical switch configured to alternate between an enabled state and adisabled state, each state change corresponding to a displacement of thecarousel by one compartment. With further regard to the dispensingdevice, in one embodiment, the sensors include magnets and magneticsensors configured to detect a change in the electromagnetic fieldgenerated by the magnets. In another embodiment, the dispensing deviceincludes magnets and magnetic sensors configured to detect a change inthe electromagnetic field generated by the magnets, when the number ofmagnets is less than or equal to a number of compartments and when anumber of magnetic sensors is different from the number of magnets. Withfurther regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, the sensorsinclude optical sensors coupled to the base member and configured tosense a change in a reflective pattern disposed on a wall of eachcompartment. With further regard to the dispensing device, in oneembodiment, the processing circuitry is configured to generate areminder signal at pre-determined time. With further regard to thedispensing device, in one embodiment, each compartment is identifiedwith a unique identifier and upon rotation of the carousel, theprocessing circuitry is configured to execute an encoding scheme todetermine the unique identifier.

In another embodiment, the dispensing device is adapted for storing anddispensing articles, and includes a base member, a carousel coupled tothe base member including compartments. Each compartment comprises aunique identifier and the carousel is configured to rotate about thebase member to provide access to one compartment per rotation. Thedispensing device further includes a dispensation detection systemdisposed within the carousel and configured to generate a signalcorresponding to a rotation of the carousel with respect to the basemember, and processing circuitry coupled to the dispensation detectionsystem and configured to: receive the signal generated by thedispensation detection system, identify the unique identifier of theaccessed compartment according to an encoding scheme, and record a timeat which the signal was received, for each rotation of the carousel.

With further regard to the dispensing device, in one embodiment, thedispensation detection system includes magnets on the carousel andmagnetic sensors on the base configured to detect a magnetic fieldgenerated by the magnets. In another embodiment, the dispensing deviceincludes magnets on the carousel and a plurality of magnetic sensors onthe base configured to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnets,when the number of magnets is less than or equal to a number ofcompartments and when the number of magnetic sensors is different fromthe number of magnets. With further regard to the dispensing device, inone embodiment, the unique identifier of each compartment corresponds toa four-bit code. In another embodiment, the unique identifier of eachcompartment corresponds to a grayscale value. With further regard to thedispensing device, in one embodiment, the dispensation detection systemincludes optoelectronic sensors disposed on the base and a plurality ofmarkers on the carousel.

In an embodiment, a method for detecting dispensation of medicationadapted for use in a medication dispensing device includes compartments.The method further includes generating an indicator signal correspondingto a displaced compartment, processing the indicator signal to identifya unique identifier of the displaced compartment based on an encodingscheme, and recording compartment displacement information correspondingto the displaced compartment.

With further regard to the method, in one embodiment, each uniqueidentifier is a four-bit code. In another embodiment, each uniqueidentifier is a gray scale value. With further regard to the method, inone embodiment, the method includes determining a state of eachcompartment using an optoelectronic system. With further regard to themethod, in one embodiment, the method includes generating an indicatorusing electromechanical sensing devices to indicate a state of acompartment.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a dispensingdevice.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example embodiment of a dispensingdevice.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example embodiment of a ratchet advancementmechanism.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an example embodiment of a locking component.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a linearactuator.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrammatic views of example embodiments ofelectronic circuitry disposed in the dispensing device.

FIG. 8 is cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a dispensingdevice;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an example securing mechanism disposedwithin a dispensing device;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the securingmechanism of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a tamperdetection device used in a dispensing device; and

FIG. 12 is a flow chart describing an example method by whichunauthorized access to a dispensing device is detected.

FIG. 13 is an example of a healthcare environment in accordance with atleast one embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an example accessing device for a medication dispensingdevice in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an accessing device in accordance with atleast one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating one technique by which a centralmonitoring system monitors a healthcare network in accordance with atleast one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an example central monitoring system inaccordance with at least one embodiment.

FIGS. 18 through 21 are example user interface screens generated by acentral monitoring system in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an example illustration of a displayed output reportingadherence scores for an example scenario.

FIG. 23 is an example of a displayed output of a time-log ofinteractions between an accessing device and medication dispensingdevices for an example scenario.

FIG. 24 is an example block diagram of an example dispensation detectionsystem;

FIG. 25 is an example cut-away top perspective view of a partial sectionof a carousel of the dispensing device of FIG. 1 in a first position,with an illustrative example of an example mechanical switch.

FIG. 26, is the carousel of FIG. 4 shown in a second position.

FIG. 27, is an example cut-away top perspective view of a partialsection of a carousel of the dispensing device of FIG. 1, in a firstposition, with an illustrative example of an example optical switch.

FIG. 28, is the carousel of FIG. 6 shown in a second position.

FIG. 29 is an example diagram of arrangement of magnets and sensors foran example absolute encoding scheme;

FIG. 30 is an example diagram which refers to the movement of a carouselby one compartment;

FIG. 31 is an example diagram which refers to the movement of a carouselby another compartment;

FIG. 32 is an example flow diagram of an embodiment of a dispensationdetection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein provide a dispensing device (e.g. a pillbox) for dispensing medication. In various embodiments, the dispensingdevice may include a base member, a carousel coupled to the base memberand configured to rotate about the base member. In some embodiments, thedispensing device may include one or more compartments formed within thecarousel and configured to store a single dose of medication. In someembodiments, the dispensing device includes a lid configured to enclosethe base and the carousel.

Embodiments may include a ratchet advancement mechanism that includes aresilient member and a stop member configured to facilitate motion ofthe carousel in a first direction and to restrict motion in a seconddirection. In some embodiments, the dispensing device may include alocking component configured to permit a predetermined displacement ofthe carousel in the first direction and to limit further displacement inthe first direction by locking the carousel.

The dispensing device may be utilized for storing medication such as butnot limited to pills, capsules, ampules, dose-packs, vials, vitamins,gels, injectables, and creams. However, the dispensing device may alsobe used to store pet food, snacks (e.g., candy or gum), nutritionalsupplements, patches (e.g., nicotine or birth control), sublingualstrips, prizes (e.g., stickers or marbles), reminder messages (e.g.,hand-written notes), instructions for a scavenger hunt or dailyoperation of machinery, encrypted codes for logging in each day, etc.The dispensing device may be mounted on a wall for tracking when thehandle is rotated, (and then possibly unlocking a door with thisinformation).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example embodiment of a dispensing device10 is illustrated. The dispensing device 10 includes a base member 12, alid 14, a handle 16 disposed over the lid 14 and a cover 18 disposedover the handle 16. The dispensing device 10 includes a carousel 20 thatis configured to rotate at the base member 12. The articles stored inthe dispensing device 10 can be accessed through a window 19.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a dispensing device 10.The base member 12 is coupled to a carousel 20 at the center of the basemember 12. In one embodiment, the base member 12 comprises a spindle 13that is operatively coupled to a shaft 28 of the carousel 20 andconfigured to facilitate rotation of the carousel 20. The carousel 20further includes a plurality of fins 22 coupled to the shaft 28, eachfin 22 extending outwards from the shaft 28 to form a curved wall. Thecompartments 23 are formed by an area formed between two consecutivefins 22 and a portion of the inner wall of the base member 12.

In some implementations, the compartments 23 may be formed byself-contained units instead of being defined by the walls of thecarousel. In some implementations these self-contained units may containindentations similar to a bundt pan shape. In other implementations thecompartments 23 may be formed from fins that extend from the base member12 to the shaft 28.

The access control mechanism is operatively coupled to the carousel 20and the base member 12 and is configured to regulate a motion of thecarousel 20 and to control access to the compartments 23. In oneembodiment, the access control mechanism includes a ratchet advancementmechanism, a locking component 32, and electronic circuitry.

Referring to FIG. 3, the ratchet advancement mechanism may be formed bya resilient member and a stop member. In some implementations theresilient member is formed by a distal portion of the fins 22 and thestop member is formed by a containing wall 232 on the inner wall of thebase member 12. The ratchet advancement mechanism is configured tofacilitate motion of the carousel 20 in the first direction, forexample, a clockwise direction and to restrict motion in a seconddirection, for example, a counterclockwise direction.

In this example embodiment, as the carousel 20 is rotated, the edge ofthe fin 22 rides up a ramp 30 located on the inside of the wall 232. Atthe end of the ramp 30, there is a drop-off 31. The fin 22 passes overthis drop-off and un-flexes, resting against the containing wall 13 andthe face of the drop-off 31 in a way that the carousel 20 cannot berotated in the counter-clockwise direction. In one embodiment, thelength of a single ramp 30 may be referred as a ratchet tooth. In someimplementations, the distance traveled per ratchet tooth corresponds tothat needed to advance the carousel 20 one compartment. In otherimplementations, depending upon the number of compartments and theconfiguration, one ratchet tooth may correspond to a fraction ormultiple of one compartment 23.

It may be noted that, the movement of the carousel 20 can be in onedirection only, clockwise in this non-limiting example. This ensuresproper sequence of the medication regimen, so that the user cannotaccidentally back-drive the system to a compartment that has alreadybeen emptied. The ratchet advancement mechanism works in conjunctionwith a locking component 32, which is described in further detail below.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an embodiment ofa locking component 32 of the access control mechanism in four examplestates. As described in FIG. 3, the ratchet advancement mechanismfacilitates motion in a first direction. The locking component 32 worksin conjunction with the ratchet advancement mechanism of FIG. 3 topermit a pre-determined displacement of the carousel 20 in a firstdirection and to limit further displacement in the first direction.

In one embodiment, the locking component 32 is a linear actuator that ismoved linearly from one detent 33 to another diametrically opposite onan internal face of the carousel 20. Each detent 33 is a space formed bythe inner faces of the carousel 20, and allows the carousel 20 toadvance by one compartment before being engaged against the lateral faceof the locking component 32. The locking component 32 may have fourstates as follows:

State 1 corresponds to the locking component 32 in the forward positionand the carousel 20 having been rotated in a clockwise direction untilthe detent 33 on the inner face of the carousel 20 comes in contact withthe lateral face of the locking component 32.

State 2 corresponds to the locking component 32 in the rear position andthe carousel 20 unmoved. Clockwise motion of the carousel 20 is nolonger impeded, and advancement by one compartment 23, and only onecompartment 23, is possible.

State 3 corresponds to the locking component 32 in the rear position andthe carousel 20 having been rotated in a clockwise manner until thedetent 33 on the inner face of the carousel 20 comes in contact with theother face of the lock. The system is again locked and will not allowfor further advancement of the carousel 20.

State 4 corresponds to the locking component 32 in the forward positionagain and the carousel 20 unmoved. Once again, clockwise motion of thecarousel 20 is possible, in this case as a means for dispensing the nextdose, but only one dose.

As seen in the four example states of FIG. 4, if both clockwise andcounterclockwise motion of the carousel 20 is permitted, locking to asingle compartment would not be achieved, and it would be possible forthe user to go between and access two adjacent compartments 23 at will.Thus, in an example implementation the locking component 32 isconfigured to permit a predetermined displacement of the carousel 20 inonly a first direction. Further, the locking component 32 works inconjunction with the ratchet advancement mechanism to limit furtherdisplacement in the first direction.

In this non-limiting example, the motion to advance the carousel 20 byone compartment is performed manually. As described above, the lockingcomponent 32 is achieved by moving a linear actuator diametricallyacross the inner region of the carousel 20. In other embodiments thismotion could be performed automatically, for example using a solenoid, alinkage system, a gearing system, a voice coil, springs, piezoelectricactuators, a motor, or some combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the locking component 32 comprises a linear actuatorconfigured to move linearly and control rotation of the carousel 20.FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a linear actuator 32implemented in a dispensing device. The linear actuator includes a worm34 mounted axially on a motor shaft (not shown). The worm 34 theninterfaces with a rack gear 38, which is mounted in a groove parallel tothe worm 34 axis, such that the teeth 40 of the rack gear 38 engage theworm 34, and rotation of the worm 34 moves the rack gear 38 back andforth along the axis.

In this example embodiment, the rack gear 38 is specified to have apitch of 32 and pressure angle of 14.5 degrees. The worm 34 is alsospecified to have a pitch of 32 and a pressure angle of 14.5 degrees,plus a lead angle of 4.08 degrees. A rack with a matching helical anglecould also be used. Each gear may be made from plastic, metal, phenolic,or other material. The motor is specified such that its diameter is lessthan the pitch diameter of the worm 34 so that it does not interferewith the range of travel of the rack. It may or may not include agearbox (not shown) to amplify the torque output. One such motor is thebrushed DC micro motor by Autom.

In one embodiment, the actuator is compact and has a high torque ratio.An example non-limiting torque ratio is 150:1, or an output torque of 6mNm. The gearing system is not back-drivable or possible to overcome viabrute force without damaging the pill box. The forces on the rack due tothe carousel 20 attempting to turn are not transmitted to the worm 34 orthe motor 36, protecting them from damage.

In an example scenario, closed-loop control of the motor 36 in thelocking system allows for self-calibration, whereas both open-loop andclosed-loop control allow overcoming of stiction. In an embodiment, themotor control algorithm includes turning on the motor 36 in a particulardirection for a predetermined set of time (e.g. 2 seconds). In oneembodiment, motor speed is controlled using PWM (pulse-widthmodulation). Using PWM, a burst of speed can be provided at thebeginning of the motor-on cycle (e.g. 100% PWM for 0.2 seconds) beforereducing to a slower speed, in order to overcome stiction. In anotherembodiment, closed-loop control is employed to provide feedback to therack's position in order to determine if the box is locked.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrammatic views of electronic circuitryconfigured to control and record rotation of the carousel 20. An examplemicrocontroller 56 is configured to execute instructions that areprogrammed into the dispensing device 10. Memory 52 is configured torecord information such as a time when the carousel 20 has been rotated,absolute time between two consecutive rotations, etc. In one embodiment,the memory comprises an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EEPROM).

In an example implementation, a motor control chip (not shown) isprovided to appropriately power the motor 36. Further a real-time clockmay also be provided to determine the appropriate time to lock/unlockthe dispensing device 10.

In another example implementation, LED indicators (not shown) are alsoprovided to indicate that the dispensing device 10 has to be rotated.LED indicators may also be used to confirm that the rotation hasoccurred. In one embodiment, an audio indicator is provided to indicatewhen it is time to advance the pill box. A connector (not shown) isprovided to communicate data stored in the dispensing device 10 toexternal systems.

In an example implementation, a battery 58 is positioned as shown inFIG. 7 to power the dispensing device 10. In addition, batteryprotection circuitry (not shown) may be provided to prevent damage tothe battery and battery charging circuitry may be provided to charge thebattery. In one embodiment, tracking means 42 is disposed on thedispensing device 10 to determine a position of the rack gear 38. In anexample implementation tracking means 42 may be a sensor which is usedto detect a change in the battery to determine whether the motor 36 isstill moving the rack gear 38. A change in the battery voltage indicateswhether the motor 36 is moving the locking component 32, or is stalleddue to the rack being at the end of its range of travel. If such achange is sensed, the motor 36 can be immediately turned off.

In one embodiment, an analog pin on a microcontroller (not shown) thatreferences a fixed voltage is used to sense the battery voltage. It maybe noted that the battery voltage may also be sensed externally using aresistor-divider and a Zener diode. For example, a change in the batteryvoltage occurs when the motor 36 transitions between an off state, an onand turning state, and an on and stalled state. Each of the three statescan be detected. When the command is given to move the locking mechanism32, the states will transition from the motor 36 in an off state to anon state to an on and stalled state. In some instances, the states maytransition from a motor 36 in an off state to an on and stalled state.

In an example scenario, a user is provided a pill box 10 pre-loaded withprescription pills in the compartments 23. In this example scenario, adoctor has prescribed that the user take 1 pill, three times per day atintervals of every 8 hours. At 9 in the morning, the pill box 10unlocks, lights and buzzers go off on the pill box 10 to alert the user,and the user advances the pill box 10 by turning the handle 16, whichturns the carousel 20, which rotates until the locking component 32 isengaged. The user accesses a compartment, removes contained pills andtakes the pills as prescribed. At 11 am, after 2 hours the user decidesthat they would like to take another pill well before the nextprescribed time, which is about 5 pm (e.g. 8 hours after their firstdose). The user attempts to rotate the carousel 20 in a clockwise mannerto obtain the next pill, however referring to FIG. 4, state 3, thelocking component 32 is in the rear position, preventing the carousel 20from moving forward to the next compartment thereby preventing the userfrom prematurely accessing the next pill.

In another example scenario, it is now 5 pm. Referring to FIG. 4, State4, the motor 36 moves, the locking component 32 slides into the forwardposition, and the pill box 10 is unlocked. The user can now advance thepill box 10 by one compartment by rotating the handle 16. Once thatcompartment is rotated to, the user cannot rotate the handle, andthereby the carousel, backward or forward until the pill box is unlockedagain.

Method to Prevent Unauthorized Access of Dispensing Devices

Embodiments described herein provide a dispensing device (e.g. a pillbox) for dispensing medication. In various embodiments, the dispensingdevice may include a base member, a carousel coupled to the base memberand configured to rotate about the base member. In some embodiments, thedispensing device may include one or more compartments formed within thecarousel and configured to store a single dose of medication. In someembodiments, the dispensing device includes a lid configured to enclosethe base and the carousel and a cover disposed on a top portion of thecarousel.

Embodiments may include a securing mechanism disposed on the dispensingdevice configured to prevent unauthorized access to contents storedwithin the dispensing device. In some embodiments the securing mechanismincludes a tamper detection device operatively coupled to the cover orthe base member and configured to generate an alarm signal in responseto displacement of the cover. Embodiments may include a linkingcomponent coupled to the tamper detection device in a manner so thatwhen the tamper detection device generates the alarm signal when thelinking component is decoupled from the tamper detection device. In someembodiments the linking component may include an electronic device or amechanical component.

The dispensing device may be utilized for storing medication such as butnot limited to pills, capsules, ampules, dose-packs, vials, vitamins,gels, injectables and creams. However, the dispensing device may also beused to store pet food, snacks (e.g., candy or gum), nutritionalsupplements, patches (e.g., nicotine or birth control), sublingualstrips, prizes (e.g., stickers or marbles), reminder messages (e.g.,hand-written notes), instructions for a scavenger hunt or dailyoperation of machinery, encrypted codes for logging in each day, etc.The dispensing device may be mounted on a wall for tracking when thehandle is rotated, (and then possibly unlocking a door with thisinformation).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example embodiment of a dispensing device10 is illustrated. The dispensing device 10 includes a base member 12, alid 14, a handle 16 disposed over the lid 14 and a cover 18 disposedover the handle. The dispensing device 10 includes a carousel 20 that isconfigured to rotate at the base member 12. The articles stored in thedispensing device 10 can be accessed through a window 19.

The base member 12 is coupled to a carousel 20 at the center of the basemember 12. In one embodiment, the base member 12 comprises a spindle 13that is operatively coupled to a shaft 28 of the carousel 20 andconfigured to facilitate rotation of the carousel 20. The carousel 20further includes a plurality of fins 22 coupled to the shaft 28, eachfin 22 extending outwards from the shaft 28 to form a curved wall. Thecompartments 23 are formed by an area formed between two consecutivefins 22 and a portion of the inner wall of the base member 12.

In some implementations, the compartments 23 may be formed byself-contained units instead of being defined by the walls of thecarousel. In some implementations these self-contained units may bebundt pan shaped. In other implementations the compartments 23 may beformed from fins that extend from the base member 12 to the shaft.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, a cover 18 is on a top portion ofthe handle 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover is fastened tothe base 12 using the screws 226 and the standoffs 242. In oneembodiment, the window 19 is as wide as one compartment 23. Referring toFIGS. 2-3, in some implementations, an annular snap 238 is disposedaround the circumference of the dispensing device. The snap 238facilitates locking the lid 14 to the base 12.

The dispensing device includes a securing mechanism to preventunauthorized access to contents stored within the dispensing device.FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an example dispensing deviceimplemented according to aspects of the present technique. Thedispensing device comprises a securing mechanism configured to preventunauthorized access to contents stored within. The securing mechanismincludes a security component, a tamper detection device and securityfasteners.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the securing mechanism 230 is formed by aninner wall 232 extending upwards from a base plate 236 of the basemember 12 and an outer wall 234 of the lid 14. The outer wall 234 of thelid 14 and the inner wall 232 of the base 12 overlap the full height ofthe carousel, securing the contents inside the compartments andpreventing the pieces from being pried apart. The thickness of the innerwall 232 and outer wall 234 is designed to maximize strength whilereducing overall weight. In one embodiment, the thickness of the innerwall 232 is about 1.5 mm and the thickness of the outer wall 234 isabout 1.5 mm.

The securing mechanism 230 may include at least one security fastener227. In some implementations the security fastener 227 is a single screwthat extends from the cover 18 to the base 12. In other implementationsthe security fastener 227 includes screws 226 and standoffs 242configured to mechanically fasten the cover 18 to the base 12. Thesecurity fastener 227 requires a special tool, not readily found in mosthomes or stores, to remove it from the base 12 member. Thus, in anexample implementation all parts of the assembly are sandwiched betweenthe cover 18 and the base 12 making it difficult to remove anintermediary part without disconnecting the cover 18 and the base 12. Inone implementation, the security fastener 227 is a screw fastener.Non-limiting example sizes and dimensions for the screws 226 include2-56 Torx-head steel screws, ¼″ long. Non-limiting examples of thestandoffs 242 are 2-56 male-female standoffs. In some implementationsthe security fastener could be screws with other head styles, such astri-lobe, or could be snaps integrated into the lid that require acustom tool to disengage.

Referring to FIG. 8, in an embodiment the securing mechanism 230includes a tamper detection device 240 operatively coupled to the coveror the base member and configured to generate an alarm signal inresponse to displacement of the cover. The tamper detection device 240works in conjunction with a linking component 244 and is configured togenerate the alarm signal when the linking component 244 is decoupledfrom the tamper detection device. In one embodiment, the linkingcomponent 244 is fastened to the cover 18, and indicates when the coverhas been removed from the pill box.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the tamper detection device includes asensor 246 processing circuitry 248 and alarm generator 250. The linkingcomponent 244 can be positioned on an underside of the cover 18. Thelinking component is electronically or mechanically coupled to thesensor 246. The sensor 246 detects a displacement of the cover 18. In anexample implementation, the sensor 246 is a magnetic reed switch and thelinking component 244 is a magnet. In an example scenario, the reedswitch is in one state when the magnet (affixed to the cover 18) isclose by, and is in another state when the magnetic field is removed.Processing circuitry 248 is disposed on the base member 12 and is alsoconfigured to receive signals from the sensor 246.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example simplified block diagram of an exampletamper detection device 240 which may be used to implement theembodiments described herein. In some implementations, the tamperdetection device 240 and the linking component 244 are disposed adjacentto each other. In one embodiment, the linking component 244 is disposedon an underside of the cover 18 and the tamper detection device 240 isdisposed on the base of the dispensing device. However, it may be notedthat the position of the tamper detection device 240 can be interchangedwith the position of the linking component 244.

In some implementations, the linking component 244 is a magnet. In oneembodiment, the linking component 244 comprises an electronic device ora mechanical component. Examples of electronic devices include magnets,optical emitters/detectors, conductive material interfacing with otherconductive material (closing a switch), or non conductive materialblocking, electronic plugs/shunts/header pin, and the like. Examples ofmechanical components include mechanical couplers, contact switches andthe like.

The linking component 244 may be electronically or mechanically coupledto the tamper detection device 240. The tamper detection device includesa sensor 246, processing circuitry 248 and alarm generator 250.

In an example embodiment, the sensor 246 is a magnetic sensor. In anexample scenario when the cover 18 is secured to the dispensing device10, the magnet 244 generates an electromagnetic field. However, when thecover 18 is displaced from its original position, the electromagneticfield generated by the magnet 244 is altered. The tamper detectiondevice 240 is configured to detect the change in electromagnetic field.When the tamper detection device senses such a change, the alarmgenerator 248 generates an alarm signal. Example alarm signals includean audible tone that can be selected for duration, volume, style, etc.In one embodiment, the alarm generator may include light emitting diodesthat are enabled when a change is detected.

In some implementations, the tamper detection device includes processingcircuitry 248 disposed within the dispensing device and configured torecord a time at which the linking component 244 is decoupled from thetamper detection device 240. The processing circuitry may include amemory device that is configured to store a time log that contains suchas time and date at which such changes were detected, time and date atwhich the carousel 20 was rotated, and the like. In one embodiment, theprocessing circuitry is configured to transmit the time log to a centralcomputing device, such as a server. Further, the processing circuitrymay be configured to transmit the time log in real time and/orwirelessly.

The above described features of the dispensing device 10 can beimplemented in a pill box that is adapted to store medication within itscompartments. An advantage of the embodiments described herein is thatthey may prevent a user from tampering with medication stored inside thepill box.

FIG. 12 illustrates a simplified flow diagram for a method for detectingunauthorized access to a pill box. The pill box may include severalcomponents and may contain several compartments in which the medicationis stored. In an example embodiment, an example pill box similar to theembodiments of the dispensing device 10 described above, with referenceto FIGS. 8-11, may be used to implement the method described withreference to FIG. 12. However, it should be understood that thetechnique described below can be implemented in other types and designsof pill boxes and dispensing devices.

At step 252, an electromechanical link is created between a firstcomponent and a second component of the pill box. In one embodiment, theelectromechanical link is created by using a magnet that generates anelectromagnetic field. In another embodiment, the electromechanical linkis created by using an optical emitter that creates an optical path. Insome embodiments, the electromechanical link is created by using amechanical switch. In one embodiment, the first component is a lid ofthe pill box and the second component is a base of the pill box.

At step 254, a change in the electromechanical link is detected. Thechange is indicative of a displacement of the first component withrespect to the second component from their respective initial positions.The change is detected using a sensor, non-limiting examples of whichinclude electronic sensors, magnetic sensors, optical sensors, and thelike.

At step 256, an alarm signal is generated in response to the changedetected in the electromechanical link. The alarm signal can be anacoustic indicator signal and/or an optical indicator signal. The alarmsignal may be generated by an alarm signal generator such as lightemitting diodes disposed on an outside of the pill box or by an audiodevice that generates an audio signal.

At step 258, a time at which the change in electromechanical link isdetected is stored using a memory device. It may be noted that thememory device can also record other activities, examples include but arenot limited to the time at which a compartment is accessed, time atwhich the pill box was filled, automatic alarm times, and the like. Suchactivities are collectively referred to as a time log and are stored inthe memory device. Further the time log is transferred to a computingdevice for appropriate analysis. For example, the time log may betransferred via a server. Example computing devices include a tablet, amobile internet device, a cell phone, laptop, desktop or other computer.

The above described techniques have several advantages includingproviding a robust design for a dispensing device 10 that cannot beeasily broken or damaged. Further, the tamper detection feature may helpdetect tampering by unauthorized persons. The dispensing device 10 alsoincludes data storage and transmission capabilities that enable a personmonitoring the dispensing device to obtain accurate information aboutthe state of the device.

In an example implementation, the dispensing device 10 is built from amaterial that is impact-resistant and environment-tolerant. An advantageof such a material is that it makes the device more robust and resistantto tampering and breakage. Non-limiting examples of material that can beused to form the dispensing device include Acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), polycarbonate, acetyl, polypropylene, polyethylene,polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum, steel, or other material, includingblends of the above or including filler material such as glass or carbonfiber to alter the material properties.

Central Monitoring for a Healthcare Network

Example embodiments are generally directed to central monitoring systemsused to monitor medication systems. The following description is withreference to a pill box used for dispensing medicines, however it shouldbe understood that the techniques described herein may be applied in anytype of medication storage device that is used to dispense articlesstored within in a controlled manner.

FIG. 13 is an example embodiment of a healthcare environment. Thehealthcare environment 310 includes a computing device 312 (e.g., acentral monitoring system) configured to monitor dispensing devices,medication dispensing devices or MDDs 330, 332 and 338. The computingdevice 312 is coupled to various entities such as a physician 314,patient 316, family and/or friends 318, pharmacy 320 and healthcareworker 322. The computing device 312 is also in communication withaccessing devices 324, 336 and 328. As can be seen in FIG. 13, eachaccessing device 324, 336 and 328 is associated with one or moremedication dispensing devices 330, 332, and 338. The accessing devices324, 336, and 328, the computing device 312 and the medicationdispensing devices 330, 332, and 338 together form a central monitoringsystem.

For ease of description when referring to a single accessing device,accessing device 336 will be referenced or when referring to a singledispensing device, dispensing device 338 will be referenced. It is to beunderstood that embodiments and implementations are not limited to thesesingle devices and could be any one or more of the other devicesdisclosed and shown herein.

Accessing devices 324, 336 and 328 are configured to provide access to afixed or variable number of medication dispensing devices. For example,the accessing device 336 is configured to access medication dispensingdevices 330, 332 and 338. Similarly, accessing devices 324 and 328 maybe configured to access dispensing devices 330, 332, and 338 or may beconfigured to access a set of medication dispensing devices (not shown).Each accessing device may be electronically and/or mechanically coupledto one or more medication dispensing devices.

An example accessing device 336 can be programmed with a unique identitytag. In one embodiment, the identity tag includes an alphanumeric code.When the accessing device 336 is coupled to a medication dispensingdevice 338, the identity tag is transferred to the medication dispensingdevice 338 and stored in an internal memory of the medication dispensingdevice 338. In one embodiment, the identity tag can be used to determinea device interaction status of the dispensing device 338. As usedherein, device interaction status can be used to establish if anyinteraction has been initiated between a patient and another entity suchas a patient supervisor.

In some embodiments, the accessing device 336 can be configured toreceive device data transmitted by the medication dispensing device 338.Device data may include present or past device state information, and/ora snapshot of various parameters of the medication dispensing device338. In some implementations, device data may include one or more of thefollowing: the date and time at which the medication dispensing devicewas accessed by a patient and/or the accessing device, the number ofarticles present within the medication dispensing device, the number ofreminders that have been set, a time until next reminder, a lock state,a tamper state, an ambient temperature, and a battery voltage, etc.

In some implementations, device data includes a historical record oftime-stamped events. For example, device data may include when articleshave been dispensed, past interactions with accessing devices, pastrecharges and resets of the device, etc. In some implementations, devicedata includes prescription data such as size, quantity, brand and typeof medication being taken.

The computing device 312 is further configured to communicate with themedication dispensing device 338. In one embodiment, the medicationdispensing device 338 is configured to communicate wirelessly with thecentral monitoring system (e.g., computing device 312). In someembodiments, the medication dispensing device 338 is configured tocommunicate with the computing device 312 using a wired connection (notshown) or via another computing device.

The computing device 312, when coupled to the medication dispensingdevice 338, is configured to receive the identity tag provided by theaccessing device 336. Further the central monitoring system 312 isconfigured to process the identity tag to determine the deviceinteraction status of the dispensing device 336 within the healthcarenetwork.

The device interaction status may then be relayed to the variousentities that are coupled to the computing device 312 via acommunication module (not shown) implemented in the central monitoringsystem 312. The computing device is also configured to transmit alertsto one or more secondary central monitoring systems associated with oneor more medication dispensing devices that are being monitored by thecomputing device. Examples of secondary central monitoring systemsinclude personal computer systems belonging to the patient or patient'sfamily, hand held devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, etc.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 14, illustrated is an example embodiment ofa medication dispensing device 10. The dispensing device described belowmay be utilized for storing medication such as but not limited to pills,capsules, ampules, dose-packs, vials, vitamins, gels, injectables, andcreams. The medication dispensing device 10 includes a base member 12, alid 14 and a handle 16 disposed over the lid 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dispensing device 10 includescompartments (not shown) within which articles are stored. By rotatingthe handle 16, each compartment may be accessed through window 19.Further, a cover 18 is disposed over the handle to prevent the contentsof the dispensing device 10 from being tampered. Authorized personnel(e.g. a healthcare provider or patient) may open the dispensing device10 by coupling an accessing device 336 to the cover 18. In someimplementations, the dispensing device 10 may automatically be openedwithout the accessing device, for example the dispensing device 10 canbe configured to open only at a predetermined time.

Referring to FIG. 14, an example embodiment of an accessing device 336may be coupled to a medication dispensing device 338 through interface340 as shown. As can be seen in the illustrated example, the interface340 may be disposed on the cover 18 of the medication dispensing device338. The interface 340 may be wired or wireless. For example, the wiredinterface may communicate via RS-232 communication or USB, and thewireless interface may be Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the accessing device 336 is physicallyinserted into the interface 340. However, the accessing device 336 mayalso interact with the interface without physical contact, for exampleusing infrared sensors or radio frequency sensors. In one embodiment,the accessing device 336 is a biometric reader that can beelectronically coupled to the medication dispensing device 338. In someimplementations, the accessing device is a 4-conductor stereo jack withinternal electronics that can transmit and receive data, as well asshare power and ground.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of anaccessing device 360. The accessing device 360 comprises a transceiver372, memory circuitry 364 and device interface 362.

Device interface 362 is configured to allow the accessing device tointeract with an associated medication dispensing device 338. In oneembodiment, the device interface 362 is a mechanical key that can beinserted into the medication dispensing device 338. In anotherembodiment, the device interface 362 is a sensor that is configured tolock or unlock the medication dispensing device 338.

Memory circuitry 364 is configured to store the accessing device's 360identity tag 368 and uniquely identifies a particular accessing device.In one embodiment, the identity tag 368 comprises an alphanumeric code.Specific identity tags can cause particular behaviors in particularmedication dispensing devices 338. For example, identity tags 368 can beused to unlock the medication dispensing device 338 for access to thenext compartment, for putting the device into a refill-state in which itis always unlocked, or as a security feature which is required to bepresent to unlock the medication dispensing device 338. Memory circuitry364 is further configured to store device data 366 and/or regimen data370 of one or more medication dispensing devices 338.

In an embodiment, transceiver 372 is configured to transmit the identitytag of the accessing device 360 when it is coupled to the medicationdispensing device 338. In some implementations, the accessing device 360is configured to receive data such as device data from the dispensingdevice 338. The accessing device is also configured to receive regimendata from the central monitoring system 312. The identity tags, devicedata and regimen data can be further analyzed to monitor a patientassociated with each dispensing device 338. The manner in which thecentral monitoring system 312 analyses the data is described below infurther detail.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating one method by which a centralmonitoring system monitors an interaction between a dispensing device338 and a healthcare supervisor. The dispensing device 338 operates withan accessing device 336, which is used to transmit and receiveinformation associated with the dispensing device 338.

At step 342, a medication dispensing device 338 distributed within ahealthcare network is accessed. In one embodiment, a healthcaresupervisor accesses the medication dispensing device. In someimplementations, the healthcare network can employ several healthcaresupervisors. Each supervisor is provided with an accessing device 336.It may be also noted that a single accessing device 336 may be used toaccess more than one medication dispensing device 338. In oneembodiment, the accessing device 336 is mechanically or electronicallycoupled to the medication dispensing device 338 in order to access data.

At step 344, an identity tag is transmitted by the accessing device 336to the medication dispensing device 338 it has been coupled with. In oneembodiment, the identity tag is an alphanumeric code.

At step 346, the identity tag is stored in the medication dispensingdevice 338.

At step 348, the identity tag is transmitted to the computing device. Inone embodiment, the identity tag is transmitted wirelessly to thecentral monitoring system. In another embodiment, the identity tag istransmitted when the dispensing device is coupled to a computing device.In some implementations, a time stamp of the time of coupling istransmitted to the computing device.

At step 350, the computing device processes the identity tags receivedfrom dispensing devices 330, 332, and 338 in the healthcare network. Theidentity tags are processed to determine whether a healthcare worker hasmade a visit to a patient and the corresponding time at which the visitwas made. In some implementations, the computing device 312 processesdata such as state and history information received from the dispensingdevice 338.

At step 352, the computing device can create reports abouthealthworker-patient interactions as well as times of use and access ofthe medication dispensing devices.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of acentral monitoring system 312. In the illustrated FIG. 17, the centralmonitoring system 312 is shown as “computer device” 100. In anembodiment, computer device or central monitoring system 100 isconfigured to monitor several medication dispensing devices distributedwithin a healthcare network. In an example configuration 102, centralmonitoring system 100 includes one or more processors 104 and a systemmemory 106. A memory bus 108 may be used for communicating betweenprocessor 104 and system memory 106.

Depending on the desired configuration, processor 104 may be of any typeincluding but not limited to a microprocessor (μl³), a microcontroller(μC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any combination thereof.Processor 104 may include one or more levels of caching, such as a levelone cache 110 and a level two cache 112, a processor core 114, andregisters 116. An example processor core 114 may include an arithmeticlogic unit (ALU), a floating-point unit (FPU), a digital signalprocessing core (DSP Core), or any combination thereof. An examplememory controller 118 may also be used with processor 104, or in someimplementations memory controller 118 may be an internal part ofprocessor 104.

Depending on the desired configuration, system memory 106 may be of anytype including but not limited to volatile memory (such as RAM),non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or any combinationthereof. System memory 106 may include an operating system 120, one ormore applications 122, and program data 126. Application 122 includes ananalysis module 109 that is arranged to insert one or more services inthe software application. Program data 126 may include data related toone or more dispensing devices such as identity tags, device data and/orregimen data, and history of device data. In some embodiments,application 122 may be arranged to operate with program data 126 onoperating system 120 such that interaction between the dispensingdevices and external entities are monitored. This described basicconfiguration 102 is illustrated in FIG. 17 by those components withinthe inner dashed line.

Central monitoring system 100 may have additional features orfunctionality, and additional interfaces to facilitate communicationsbetween basic configuration 102 and any required devices and interfaces.For example, a bus/interface controller 130 may be used to facilitatecommunications between basic configuration 102 and one or more datastorage devices 132 via a storage interface bus 138. Data storagedevices 132 may be removable storage devices 134, non-removable storagedevices 136, or a combination thereof. Examples of removable storage andnon-removable storage devices include magnetic disk devices such asflexible disk drives and hard-disk drives (HDD), optical disk drivessuch as compact disk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives,solid state drives (SSD), and tape drives to name a few. Examplecomputer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removableand non-removable media implemented in any method or technology forstorage of information, such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, or other data.

System memory 106, removable storage devices 134 and non-removablestorage devices 136 are examples of computer storage media. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich may be used to store the desired information and which may beaccessed by central monitoring system 100. Any such computer storagemedia may be part of central monitoring system 100.

Central monitoring system 100 may also include an interface bus 138 forfacilitating communication from various interface devices (e.g., outputdevices 140, peripheral interfaces 148, and communication devices 160)to basic configuration 102 via bus/interface controller 130. Exampleoutput devices 140 include a graphics processing unit 144 and an audioprocessing unit 146, which may be configured to communicate to variousexternal devices such as a display or speakers via one or more A/V ports142. Example peripheral interfaces 148 include a serial interfacecontroller 150 or a parallel interface controller 152, which may beconfigured to communicate with external devices such as input devices(e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device,etc.) or other peripheral devices (e.g., printer, scanner, etc.) via oneor more I/O ports 149. An example communication device 160 includes anetwork controller 154, which may be arranged to facilitatecommunications with one or more other central monitoring systems 158over a network communication link via one or more communication ports156.

The network communication link may be one example of a communicationmedia. Communication media may typically be embodied by computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other datain a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and may include any information delivery media. A “modulateddata signal” may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristicsset or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may includewired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, andwireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), microwave,infrared (IR) and other wireless media. The term computer readable mediaas used herein may include both storage media and communication media.

Central monitoring system 100 may be implemented as a portion of a smallform factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone,a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, adevice worn on the body, a personal headset device, wearable computer,an application specific device, or a hybrid device that includes any ofthe above functions. Central monitoring system 100 may also beimplemented as a personal computer including both laptop computer andnon-laptop computer configurations. The central monitoring device isconfigured to generate various reports related to the dispensing devices330, 332, and 338 in the healthcare network. Some example user interfacescreens are described below with reference to FIG. 18 through FIG. 22.

FIG. 18 is an example login screen of a user interface implementedaccording to aspects of the present technique. The screen includes areaswhere a user can input his/her user name and password. The login screenalso includes an event data query status bar and a button to skip theevent data querying. Upon authentication of the user name and password,the user interface displays user details as shown in FIG. 19.

The user interface screen shown in FIG. 19 comprises three tabsassociated with a user's regimen, reports and preferences, respectively.The illustrated screen displays personal details of the user (e.g.,name, patient ID, phone number, email date of birth) and contactinformation. The screen can also display contact rules (e.g., how andwhen a patient prefers to be contacted and/or with whom the healthcareprovider is authorized to communicate). The screen can show a list ofmedications currently prescribed to the patient and permissions thathave been established for communicating with and/or treating thepatient. The regimen tab is clicked to obtain information about aregimen of the user as shown in FIG. 20.

The user's regimen can be stored within the dispensing device. In anexample implementation, regimen data may include one or more of thefollowing: dosing schedule, medication names and physical descriptions.In some implementations, the regimen data is programmed into thedispensing device by a healthcare supervisor. In one embodiment, thedata is programmed via a web application or local software on acomputer. It can be downloaded to the dispensing device in either awired or wireless manner.

The dosing schedule is used to set the reminder times. In oneembodiment, a member of the healthcare circle such as a healthcaresupervisor or family may opt to receive real-time notifications, eitheraffirmative, such as being notified every time a dose is dispensed, ornegative, such as only when a dose is missed by a certain timethreshold. Further, a notification may be sent when a refill is due. Ahealthcare supervisor may also log in to the central monitoring systemvia a webpage or smart phone application to view adherence over time orother pertinent messages.

In another embodiment, the dispensing device is paired to anotherdevice, such as a smart phone, via wireless technology such asBluetooth. In this example, when the pairing is disconnected, such aswhen the smart phone is physically too far away from the dispensingdevice to maintain a connection, an alert will be generated on the smartphone indicating a connection may be lost to the dispensing device.

In a step, the dispensing device 338 is filled with the propermedication. The filled dispensing device 338 is then compared visuallyto the representation generated by the software for confirmation ofproper loading as shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 is an example illustration of a displayed output reportingadherence scores. The example shown indicates an adherence score of(85%), and when doses were supposed to have been taken and when theyactually were taken (e.g. the shaded bars going across the screen). Inan example implementation, the adherence score is calculated based onwhether a dose was considered missed if taken late by a configurabletime (e.g. if late by 2 hours). In some implementations, the date rangefor the report is also programmable. The data can be displayed asabsolute times (e.g. dose meant to be taken at 9 pm on 2/26/12, but nottaken until 6:30 am 2/27/2012).

FIG. 23 is an example of a displayed output of a time-log ofinteractions between an accessing device (11392) and medicationdispensing devices, as well as an example time-log of interactionsbetween a medication dispensing device (89393) and accessing devices. Inan example scenario, a healthcare worker carries around a uniqueaccessing device (11392) and visits with various patients (and accessestheir medication dispensing devices) on a regular basis. In anotherexample scenario, a patient with a medication dispensing device (89393)is visited by two different healthcare workers (one carrying accessingdevice 11392 and one carrying accessing device 8923) at different times.

Dispensing Detection System and Method

Embodiments described herein provide a dispensing device (e.g., a pillbox) for dispensing medication. In various embodiments, the dispensingdevice may include a base member, and a carousel coupled to the basemember and configured to rotate about the base member. In someembodiments, the dispensing device may include one or more compartmentsformed within the carousel and configured to store a single dose ofmedication. In some embodiments, the dispensing device includes a lidconfigured to enclose the base and the carousel.

Embodiments described herein include a detection system using sensors todetermine dispensation. In one embodiment, the system includes sensorsdisposed within the dispensing device and configured to generate asignal corresponding to a displacement of the carousel with respect tothe base member. The system uses processing circuitry configured toreceive the signal generated and record a time at which the signal wasreceived.

The dispensing device may be utilized for storing medication such as butnot limited to pills, capsules, ampules, dose-packs, vials, vitamins,gels, injectables, and creams. However, the dispensing device may alsobe used to store pet food, snacks (e.g., candy or gum), nutritionalsupplements, patches (e.g., nicotine or birth control), sublingualstrips, prizes (e.g., stickers or marbles), reminder messages (e.g.,hand-written notes), instructions for a scavenger hunt or dailyoperation of machinery, encrypted codes for logging in each day, and thelike. The dispensing device may be handheld or mounted on a wall fortracking when the handle is rotated, (and then possibly unlocking a doorwith this information).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example embodiment of a dispensing device10 is illustrated. The dispensing device 10 includes a base member 12, alid 14, a handle 16 disposed over the lid 14, and a cover 18 disposedover the handle 16. The dispensing device 10 includes a carousel 20 thatis configured to rotate about the base member 12. The articles stored inthe dispensing device 10 can be accessed through a window 19.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the dispensing device 10.The base member 12 is coupled to a carousel 20 at the center of the basemember 12. In one embodiment, the base member 12 comprises a spindle 13that is operatively coupled to a shaft 28 of the carousel 20 andconfigured to facilitate rotation of the carousel 20. The carousel 20further includes a plurality of fins 22 coupled to the shaft 28, eachfin 22 extending outwards from the shaft 28 to form a curved wall. Thecompartments 23 are formed between two consecutive fins 22 and a portionof the inner wall of the base member 12.

In some implementations, the compartments 23 may be formed byself-contained units (not shown) instead of being defined by the wallsof the carousel 20. In some implementations these self-contained unitsmay be bundt pan shaped. In other implementations the compartments 23may be formed from fins that extend from the base member 12 to theshaft.

In some implementations, the dispensing device can be built from amaterial that is impact-resistant and environment-tolerant. Non-limitingexamples of material that can be used to form the dispensing deviceinclude Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, acetyl,polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum, steelor other material, including blends of the above or including fillermaterial such as glass or carbon fiber to alter the material properties.

In one embodiment, the dispensing device is configured to detect thedispensation of articles using a dispensation detection system. FIG. 24is an example block diagram of an embodiment of a dispensation detectionsystem 430 implemented according to aspects of the present technique.The dispensation detection system 430 includes a processor 432, alarmgenerator 438, sensors 436 and optoelectronic indicator 440.

In some embodiments sensors 436, are electromechanical devices that arecoupled to one or more components of the dispensing device 10 and areconfigured to generate a signal. The signal corresponds to adisplacement of the carousel 20 with respect to the base member 12. Inone embodiment, the electromechanical devices are disposed inside thedispensing device 10. For example, the electromechanical devices aredisposed on a base member 12 and/or a carousel 20 of the dispensingdevice.

In one embodiment, the sensor 436 can be a mechanical switch, which canbe configured to alternate between an enable and disable state whereeach state change corresponds to a displacement of the carousel 20 byone compartment 23. One such example is a snap action limit switch suchas the Panasonic ESE-181101.

Referring to FIG. 25, an example embodiment of a mechanical switch 433includes a body 435 and a roller 437 positioned on the end of a lever439. When the carousel 20 is at rest, the roller 437 is positionedinside a recess 431 on the inner surface of the carousel 424 and thisposition corresponds to the switch being OFF.

Referring to FIG. 26, as the carousel 20 is rotated, the roller 437rides along the inner surface, leaving the recess 431. As it does so,the lever 439 moves toward the body 435 of the mechanical switch 433,closing the circuit and providing an ON signal to the processingcircuitry. When the carousel 20 has moved by one compartment 23, theroller 437 is in the next recess 431, and is again in an OFF position.

In another embodiment, the sensors 436 can be a plurality of magnets anda plurality of magnetic sensors. The magnetic sensors can be configuredto detect a change in the electromagnetic field generated by the magnetsbased on the movement of the carousel. In one embodiment, the number ofmagnets used is less than or equal to the number of compartments and thenumbers of magnetic sensors are different from the number of magnets.

In some embodiments, the sensors 436 are optical sensors coupled to thebase member 12 and configured to sense a change in a reflective patterndisposed on a wall of each compartment 23 to determine a state of therespective compartment 23. Example states of the compartment are:“empty,” “partially full,” and “full.” One example of an optical sensoris an infrared (IR) detector, which is often used in conjunction with anIR emitter, and detects when an IR source is blocked, reflected, ordiminished. An example of an IR emitter/detector sensor is a reflectivesensor such as the Honeywell HIX1395, which is a package that emits IRand then detects it in the same package.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, in some implementations, the opticalsensor includes an IR emitter/detector 460 mounted above the circuitboard 462 to detect features 464 in the carousel 20. These features 464are either “shiny” with high IR reflective properties (such as mylartape adhered to the surface, or a sheet of aluminum placed into a slot),or “dull” with low IR reflectivity (and possible IR absorption)properties (such as the plastic material of the carousel 20). When thecarousel 20 is rotated relative to the sensor, “shiny” features willgenerate a “1” in the sensor, and “dull” features will generate a “0”.

In some implementations, the optical sensor may be used to performanalog measurements (which will get translated to a digital value). Inan example scenario, instead of the IR emitter/detector shining againsta reflective or non-reflective surface (0 or 1), it could instead shineagainst a surface that has partial reflectivity. The IR detector couldthen be read based on the resolution of the sensing system and couldmeasure analog values. In an example scenario, the high resolution ofthe sensing system and the microcontroller, could differentiate betweenone thousand and twenty-four (1024) different values from a singlereflective surface. In practice, this can be envisioned as thereflective markers not only being white (1024=“1”) and black (0=“0”),but also being a color in a gray scale, e.g. intermediate gray colors(256, 784, etc. . . . ).

Referring again to FIG. 24, processor 432 is configured to process thesignal generated by the sensors 436. The signal is processed todetermine information such as time of displacement of the carousel 20,the compartment 23 that was accessed and state of the compartment 23(e.g. empty, partially full, full as described above). In someimplementations, the signal could be processed to determine whethercompartment 23 had been emptied. Processor 432 includes memory 434 wheresuch information is stored and can be retrieved when required. Memory434 may also be used to store user data, user schedule data, and thelike.

Processor 432 is further configured to periodically transmit a time logto a computing device, wherein the time log comprises a set of time datacorresponding to the time at which the carousel is rotated. Processor432 is further configured to store state information related to theaccessed compartments 23. Further, an alarm generator 438 is coupled tothe processor 432 and is configured to generate reminders based on thedata stored in the memory 434. Non-limiting examples of reminders may beacoustic signals, optical signals, vibrations, or a combination thereof.

In some implementations, the dispensing detecting system can include anoptoelectronic indicator 440 configured to indicate to a user, a stateof a particular compartment 23. In an example implementation, theoptoelectronic indicator 440 is disposed on the cover 18 of thedispensing device 10. Non-limiting example states of a particularcompartment 23 that can be determined from the optoelectronic indicator440 are “empty,” “partially full,” and “full.”

In one embodiment, each compartment 23 of the dispensing device isidentified with a marker (e.g. “1”), and a transition state betweencompartments is identified with a different marker (e.g. “0”). Uponrotation of the carousel 20, the processor 432 is configured to detect atransition from one compartment 23 to the next to determine whether thenext compartment has been accessed. In one embodiment, the processor 432implements a relative encoding scheme to keep count of the number ofcompartments 23 that have been accessed as well as which compartment 23is currently available for access.

In another embodiment, each compartment 23 of the dispensing device isidentified with a unique identifier. Upon rotation of the carousel 20,the processor 432 is configured to execute an encoding scheme todetermine the unique identifier of the compartment 23 accessed by auser. In one embodiment, the processor 432 implements an absoluteencoding scheme to determine the unique identifier of the compartment 23which is being accessed. In some implementations, for example wherethere are sixteen compartments, the unique identifier is a four-bitcode. In other implementations the value of the bit code may changedepending up on the number of compartments. In an example scenario wherethe dispensing device includes thirty-two compartments the uniqueidentifier is a five bit code or a six bit code.

Referring to FIGS. 29-31, in an example implementation, the absoluteencoding scheme can be implemented by placing four magnetic sensors 444on the base member 12 and seven magnets 442 on the carousel 20. Thecombination of the magnetic sensors 442 and magnets 444 are used as aunique identifier for each compartment. In some implementations, theabsolute encoding scheme may be achieved with a similar number of IRsensors and shiny/dull surfaces corresponding to the compartmentlocations, or other sensor mechanisms.

In an example encoding scheme, when a magnetic sensor 442 is alignedwith a magnet 444, the magnetic sensor reads ‘1’. Similarly, when amagnetic sensor 444 and magnet 442 are not aligned, the magnetic sensorreads ‘0’. Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, as the carousel rotates thealignment of particular magnets 442 with respect to particular magneticsensors 444 changes accordingly. Each rotation of carousel results indifferent combinations of alignments of magnets 444 and magnetic sensor442 thereby generating a unique four bit pattern of ‘1’s and ‘0’s. Theunique patterns of ‘1’s and ‘0’s can be used to specifically identifyeach compartment. As the carousel 20 is rotated about the base, themagnetic sensor 444 reading changes, and gives a unique encoding thatcan be used to identify each compartment, which can be seen from Table1, below. In some implementations, the foregoing example encoding schememay be achieved with a similar number of IR sensors and shiny/dullsurfaces corresponding to the compartment locations, or other sensormechanisms.

TABLE 1 Generated Pattern Compartment 1111 Compartment 1 1110Compartment 2 1101 Compartment 3 1011 Compartment 4 0110 Compartment 51100 Compartment 6 1001 Compartment 7 0010 Compartment 8 0100Compartment 9 1000 Compartment 10 0000 Compartment 11 0001 Compartment12 0011 Compartment 13 0111 Compartment 14

Non-limiting examples of magnets include axially-magnetized Neodymiumdisc magnets such as ⅛′ Dia× 1/16″ Thick Rare Earth Magnet Disc,Licensed NdFeB, Grade N50, Ni—Cu—Ni (Silver in Color) Plated, MagnetizedAxially Magnetized, Poles On Flat Face. Example sensors include Halleffect sensors or reed switch sensors such as the Coto Technology reedswitch.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart illustrating one method of detectingdispensation from a dispensing device 10. A dispensation detectionsystem is implemented within the dispensing device 10 to detectdispensation. At step 402, a displacement of the carousel 20 isdetected. In one embodiment, the carousel 20 rotates around a center ofthe base member 12.

At step 404, an indicator signal is generated. In one embodiment, theindicator signal corresponds to a mechanical displacement of thecarousel 20 from a first position to a second position. Eachdisplacement of the carousel 20 corresponds to movement of a singlecompartment 23.

At step 406, the indicator signal is processed to determine a time atwhich the carousel 20 was displaced. In one embodiment, the indicatorsignal further provides information regarding which compartment 23 wasaccessed.

At step 408, the information extracted from the indicator signal isstored. In a further embodiment, the information is transmitted to acomputing system that is coupled to the dispensing device 10. Further,the information is also used to send alerts to multiple users associatedwith the dispensing device 10.

The techniques described above have several advantages includingaccurately determining a time at which the dispensing device wasaccessed thereby enabling a user to closely monitor the dispensingdevice. Also, since each compartment 23 of the dispensing device 10 canbe specifically identified, the articles that were accessed from aparticular compartment can also be closely monitored. Such systems canbe particularly helpful in the administration of medication.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claims, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present.

Some example embodiments reference a pill box used for dispensingmedicines, however it should be understood that the techniques describedherein may be applied in any type of dispensing device that is used todispense articles stored within in a controlled manner.

For example, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”). The same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at leasttwo recitations, or two or more recitations).

While only certain features of several embodiments have been illustratedand described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pill box adapted for dispensing medication,comprising: a base member; a carousel coupled to the base member andconfigured to rotate about the base member; one or more compartments,each compartment formed within the carousel and configured to store aplurality of medications; a lid configured to enclose the base memberand the carousel; a ratchet advancement mechanism, which includes aresilient member and a stop member configured to facilitate motion ofthe carousel in a first direction and to restrict motion in a seconddirection; a locking component configured in a first position to permita predetermined displacement of the carousel in the first direction andmoveable to a second position to prevent further displacement in thefirst direction by locking the carousel; one or more sensors configuredto generate a signal corresponding to displacement of the carousel; andprocessing circuitry coupled to the one or more sensors, configured to:receive the signal generated by the one or more sensors; and record atime at which the signal was received.
 2. The pill box of claim 1,wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one electromechanicaldevice coupled to the base member and configured to detect adisplacement of the carousel.
 3. The pill box of claim 1, wherein theone or more sensors comprise at least one infra-red detector coupled tothe base member and configured to detect a displacement of the carousel.4. The pill box of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise atleast one mechanical switch configured to alternate between an enabledstate and a disabled state, each state change corresponding to thepredetermined displacement of the carousel by one compartment.
 5. Thepill box of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise aplurality of magnets and a plurality of magnetic sensors configured todetect a change in electromagnetic field generated by the magnets. 6.The pill box of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors compriseoptical sensors coupled to the base member and configured to sense achange in a reflective pattern disposed on a wall of each compartment.7. The pill box of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to generate a reminder signal at a pre-determined time.
 8. Adispensing device, comprising: a base member; a carousel coupled to thebase member and configured to rotate about the base member; one or morecompartments, each compartment formed within the carousel; an accesscontrol mechanism operatively coupled to the carousel and the basemember and configured to regulate a motion of the carousel and toselectively permit access to the compartments, wherein the accesscontrol mechanism comprises electronic circuitry configured to preventand record rotation of the carousel; and a locking component configuredto permit a predetermined displacement of the carousel in a firstdirection and to prevent further displacement in the first direction,wherein the locking component comprises a linear actuator configured tomove linearly and prevent rotation of the carousel.
 9. The dispensingdevice of claim 8, further comprising: a lid that encloses the basemember and the carousel; a cover disposed on the lid; at least oneelectromechanical component disposed within the dispensing device; andat least one electromechanical sensor coupled to the electromechanicalcomponent and configured to generate an alarm signal in response todisplacement of the cover.
 10. The dispensing device of claim 8, furthercomprising: one or more sensors disposed within the dispensing deviceand configured to generate a signal corresponding to a displacement ofthe carousel with respect to the base member, and processing circuitrycoupled to the one or more sensors and configured to: receive the signalgenerated by the one or more sensors; and record a time at which thesignal was received.
 11. The dispensing device of claim 8, wherein thelinear actuator comprises: a motor; a worm comprising one or moregrooves and mounted axially on the motor; and a rack gear configured tointerface with the worm by means of the one or more grooves, wherein arotation of the worm causes a linear movement of the rack gear, topermit the predetermined displacement of the carousel in the firstdirection and to prevent further displacement in the first direction.12. The dispensing device of claim 8, wherein the linear actuatorcomprises: a motor; a worm comprising one or more grooves and mountedaxially on the motor; and a rack gear configured to interface with theworm via the one or more grooves, wherein a rotation of the worm causesa linear movement of the rack gear, to permit the predetermineddisplacement of the carousel in the first direction and to preventfurther displacement in the first direction, and wherein the electroniccircuitry comprises tracking means coupled to the rack gear andconfigured to track a position of the rack gear.
 13. The dispensingdevice of claim 8, wherein each compartment is identified by a uniqueidentifier and wherein the carousel is configured to rotate about thebase member to provide access to one compartment per rotation.
 14. Thedispensing device of claim 13, wherein the unique identifier of eachcompartment corresponds to a grayscale value.
 15. The dispensing deviceof claim 13, further comprising: a dispensation detection systemdisposed within the carousel and configured to generate a signalcorresponding to a rotation of the carousel with respect to the basemember; and processing circuitry coupled to the dispensation detectionsystem and configured to: receive the signal generated by thedispensation detection system; identify the unique identifier of anaccessed compartment according to an encoding scheme; and record a timeat which the signal was received, for each rotation of the carousel. 16.The dispensing device of claim 15, wherein the dispensation detectionsystem comprises a plurality of optoelectronic sensors disposed on thebase member and a plurality of markers on the carousel.
 17. A dispensingdevice adapted for storing and dispensing articles, the devicecomprising: a base member; a carousel coupled to the base member andconfigured to rotate about the base member; one or more compartments,each compartment formed within the carousel, wherein the carousel andthe base member form a ratchet advancement mechanism configured tofacilitate motion of the carousel in a first direction and to restrictmotion in a second direction; a locking component configured in a firstposition to permit a predetermined displacement of the carousel in thefirst direction and moveable to a second position to prevent furtherdisplacement in the first direction by locking the carousel; a lidconfigured to enclose the base member and the carousel; a cover disposedon the lid; at least one electromechanical component disposed within thedispensing device; and at least one electromechanical sensorcorresponding to the electromechanical component and configured togenerate an alarm signal in response to displacement of the cover. 18.The dispensing device of claim 17, wherein the locking componentcomprises a linear actuator configured to move linearly and controlrotation of the carousel, wherein the linear actuator comprises: amotor; a worm comprising one or more grooves and mounted axially on themotor; and a rack gear configured to interface with the worm by means ofthe one or more grooves, wherein a rotation of the worm causes a linearmovement of the rack gear.
 19. The dispensing device of claim 17,further comprising: one or more sensors disposed within the dispensingdevice and configured to generate a signal corresponding to displacementof the carousel with respect to the base member; and processingcircuitry coupled to a dispensation detection system and configured toreceive the signal generated by the one or more sensors and record atime at which the signal was received.
 20. The dispensing device ofclaim 17, further comprising: a handle operatively coupled to thecarousel and configured to enable a user to rotate the carousel todispense an article stored inside the compartment; and a window disposedon the lid and configured to enable a user to access articles storedinside each compartment.